As a new parent, understanding your baby’s developmental milestones can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming. Each baby is unique, and they develop at their own pace. However, there are general milestones that most babies reach within their first year. At Tourmaline Collective, San Diego’s premier natural birth center, we believe in providing parents with the knowledge and support they need to nurture their baby’s growth naturally and holistically. In this blog, we’ll outline the key milestones to look out for and offer tips on how to support your baby’s development.
Newborn to 3 Months
During the first three months, your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. This period is often referred to as the “fourth trimester,” where they still crave the warmth and closeness of the womb. Here are some milestones to expect:
- Physical Development: Your baby will start to gain control over their head and neck muscles. They might be able to lift their head briefly while lying on their stomach.
- Sensory Development: Babies are born with a preference for faces. By the end of the third month, they will begin to recognize familiar faces and objects from a distance.
- Communication: Your baby will start to coo and make other sounds, laying the foundation for language development.
Supporting Tips:
- Engage in tummy time to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.
- Use a variety of facial expressions and talk to your baby often.
- Provide a safe and stimulating environment with colorful toys and objects.
3 to 6 Months
From three to six months, your baby will become more interactive and curious about the world around them. Look for these milestones:
- Physical Development: Babies start to roll over from front to back and back to front. They will also begin to reach and grab objects.
- Social Development: Your baby will start to show more emotions and may smile spontaneously, especially at people.
- Cognitive Development: Babies will begin to track moving objects and recognize familiar faces even from a distance.
Supporting Tips:
- Encourage play with age-appropriate toys that stimulate their senses.
- Continue tummy time to build upper body strength.
- Respond to their coos and babbles to promote communication skills.
6 to 9 Months
Between six to nine months, your baby will become more mobile and start exploring their environment more actively. Milestones to watch for include:
- Physical Development: Babies will sit without support and may start to crawl. Some may even begin to pull themselves up to stand.
- Fine Motor Skills: Your baby will begin to use a pincer grasp to pick up small objects.
- Social Development: They will show a wider range of emotions and might develop stranger anxiety.
Supporting Tips:
- Create a safe space for your baby to explore.
- Offer a variety of textures and objects to play with.
- Encourage social interaction through playdates and family time.
9 to 12 Months
As your baby approaches their first birthday, they will continue to refine their skills and become more independent. Look for these milestones:
- Physical Development: Many babies take their first steps around their first birthday. They will also be able to stand alone and may start cruising along furniture.
- Language Development: Your baby will begin to say simple words like “mama” and “dada” and understand basic commands.
- Cognitive Development: Babies will start to show curiosity about how things work and may engage in more complex play.
Supporting Tips:
- Encourage walking by providing sturdy furniture to hold onto.
- Read books and talk to your baby to promote language development.
- Offer problem-solving toys and activities to stimulate cognitive skills.
Understanding and supporting your baby’s developmental milestones can help ensure they are growing and thriving. Remember, every baby is unique, and they will reach these milestones at their own pace. At Tourmaline Collective, we are dedicated to providing you with the resources and support you need throughout your parenting journey. Our natural birth center in San Diego offers a nurturing environment for both mothers and babies. If you have any concerns about your baby’s development, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced team.
